In mid-August, Mayor Catherine Pugh removed four Confederate statues in Baltimore in a decisive way that cast a positive light on our city nationally. Our city now has the opportunity to build upon this leadership momentum and be at the national forefront again with a thoughtful follow-up plan.

President Samuel Hoi was just named a 2017-2018 Art of Change Fellow by the Ford Foundation. The fellowship program recognizes "visionary artists and cultural leaders in creating powerful works of art that help advance freedom, justice and inclusion, and strengthen our democracy," according to a statement released by the Foundation.